Altura engineers led the whole building commissioning process for PNC’s new 34-story, 800,000 square foot office tower. The tower was designed to be one of the world’s most energy efficient high-rise buildings and is expected to exceed LEED Platinum standards. The tower is estimated to use 50% less energy than a typical office tower.

Altura staff guided PNC to adopt an innovative approach to the commissioning process using an automated fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) program as core component of building optimization. FDD tools have been a critical tool throughout the design and construction process and have enabled efficient testing of building mockup systems which have caught issues and enabled early-stage troubleshooting within a test environment, avoiding costly and time consuming delays later in the process.

Altura has led a detailed controls coordination process throughout the design-assist project to develop tailored and optimized sequences for this unique mechanical systems design. Altura has also assisted with the selection of exterior façade control systems, lighting control systems, and control sensing components to ensure performance goals can be attained and verified.

Systems commissioned include HVAC (central plant, heat recovery air handling units, chilled beams, BAS and controls, etc.) systems along with the active double-skin façade, blackwater treatment, lighting and lighting controls, and electrical distribution and emergency power systems.